Yarn holding means



|. w. GROTHEY YARN HOLDING imANs Filed Aug. 1a, 1943,

""lvllm in W. MW N A. M

form of yarn tension usabl Patented Dec. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE YARN HOLDING MEANS Iva'n W. Grothey, Laconia, N. 11., assignor to Scott & Williams. Incorporated, Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 18, 1943, Serial No. 499,141

15 Claims.

This invention relates to yarn feeding devices for presenting yarns to the needles of a knitting machine, and more particularly to such a control of the yarns as they leave the yarn pack-. ages, hereinafter referred to as cones, as will prevent the formation of so-called knots in the knitted fabric frequently present when hightwist yarns are used. As high-twist yarns leave the cones they have a tendency to form kinks that are not straightened out before they reach the fabric, as a consequence of which the kinks bunch up, having an appearance of knots, or slubs, as they are knitted into the fabric.

The present invention provides such a control over the yarns as they leave the cones on the way to the knitting machine that the formation of kinks in the yarn is virtually liminated.

The formation of the knots or slubs frequently results from the stopping of the feeding of a high-twist yarn. The stopping of the feeding of the yarn allows slack to occur which permits the high-twist in the.yarn to twist or kink the yarn in such a manner that any subsequent rubbing action and tension thereon in the knitting of the yarn will not cause the yarn to resume its previous condition.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view showing a part of aknitting mach ne, a yarn cone feedingyam to the needles of the knitting machine; and holding mechanism for maintaining the yamin engagement with the yarn cone;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a yarn cone and a modified form of yarn holder;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the holder shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing another in place of the disc tension of Fig. l. I

In the knitting of fabrics with high twist yarns it has been found that such yarns when led from a cone. such as Ill, have a tendency to kink' or coil, this being especially when the feeding of the yam is temporarily stopped or where. as in heel and toe knitting, the needle cylinder reciprocates. In either case, the cessation of the call for the yarn by the needles permits a looseness or slack to be formed in the yarn in the -.vicinity of the cone (allowing the yarn t kink or coil). Upon resumption of the call by the needles for the yarn, the kinks or slubs remain in the yarn and are knitted into the fab- .adjacent to the cone, but on the contrary, the

tension exerted by such discs on the high twist yarn tends to increase the twist between the tension disc and the cone, aggravating or accelerating the tendency of the yarnto coil or kink.

It was found that the formation of slubs or kinks in the yarn could be virtually eliminated, especially such coils or kinks as result from the temporary non-feeding of the yarn, by holding th yarn lightly against the cone as it is being drawn off and as illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The most effective way to control the yarn was found to flow from the use of feathers or threads as illustrated. The featherscr threads engage the yarn lightly and do not have the tendency of a disc tension to force th twist back toward the cone. In other words, the feathers or threads maintain the yarn leading from the cone in light contact therewith, thus preventing any looseness of the yarn akin to ballooning and the formation of kinks or coils in the yarn. Furthermore, the feathers or threads retain control of the yarn even in the event air currents tend to whip the yarn loose of th cone, such whipping inevitably resulting in the formation of kinks or coils in the yarn, which, when once formed, are not removed by passage of the yarn between the discs of the usual disc tension.

While a single con only has been shown in the drawings, ordinarily a plurality of yarns is mounted on the usual bobbin stand of themaidounted upon a bracket 1, carried by the machine frame, is a can or receptacle 8 within whichis carried a smaller can or receptacl 9.

ric, forming obvious imperfections. Passing the yarn between the discs of the usual disc tension does not overcome the formation of kinks or slubs Within the latter is mounted a yarn cone In which rests upon a felt or other cushion ll.

Circumferentially spaced around th can 9 are blocks it (four in-this instance), each block being provided with a vertically extending hole in which bent rods ll are adjustably seated for vertical or pivotal-adjustments, set-screws ll retaining the rods in adjusted position.

Detachably connected to the rods I3 is their upper ends are tubes I5, wires l6 being soldered, or otherwise secured, thereto and serving as connecting links between the rods 13 and the tubes I5. Seated in the other end of each tube It: is a feather H, the stem of which may be secured in any desired manner in its tube l5. The

feathers I! rest lightly edgewise on the cone of yarn I0, coming in'contact with the yarn as the yarn is drawn off the cone by the needles 2. The feathers are biased to hold the yarn against the cone. As shown at the left of Fig. 1, each feather assemblythe pin or wire it of which pivots in the end of its rod l3-may be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 and when released will fall by gravity against the there extending downwardly) through an eye of 3, third bracket 23 carried by the latch ring I.

The yarn Y may then pass through yarn guide eyes 24 of the yarn lever 4 and to the needles, as shown. It is desirable that the yarn tension 2| be located as close to the yarn guides as possible.

For the purposes of illustration, but without limiting the invention, four feather assemblies have been shown equally spaced around the cone II]. It is desirable, however, that the feathers contacting the cone be sufilcient in number and length as to engage substantially the entire circumference of the cone when full. As yarn is drawn oil. the cone and the diameter thereof decreases, the feathers move gradually to remain in contact with the cone surface, the necessary movement of the feathers to remain in contact with the cone being assistedby the angular dis-' position of each tube IS with respect to its supporting rod l3 as well as by the weight of the tube. The edges of the feathers preferably are cut to a curve to follow the contour of the cone Ill so as to insure proper contact therewith.

In Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown a modified form of yarn holder. The can 9 adjustably supports the rods or uprights l3 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1. Also the tubes l5 and attached wires I69 are pivotally mounted in the rods l3 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1.

The feathers shown in Fig. 1 illustrate one form or means for accomplishing the desired purpose. Any yielding material to which the yarn Y will not adhere, and which will maintain the yarn Y in light engagement with the cone may be used as a substitute for the feathers. As an example, there are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 threads or yarns 25 which engage the yarn Y to hold the same in engagement with'the cone. The threads '25 are attached at each end to eyelets 26 formed in a curved wire support 21, one end of which is secured in a tube l5.

In Figs. 2 and 3 four wires 2'! are shown, said cone by the threads or yarns 25 to the end that there shall be no escape for yarn Y between adjacent threads 25.

In Fig. 1 the tubes it are shown as at an angle to the upper, bent ends of rods l3, whereas in Fig. 2 the tubes l5 are shown as straight prolongations of th rods l3. In either case the upper ends of rods l3 are inclined to the vertical In Fig. 4 is shown a yarn tension that can be acceptably employed in place of the disc tension of Fig.1. The tension of Fig. 4, generally indicated by the numeral 28, can be attached to any convenient part of the bobbin stand bracket carried by the knitting machine. The tension '28 comprises a plurality of bars or studs 29 (two being shown) carried by a bracket 30 forming part of the tension 28. A wire or rod 3! having eyes 32 through which the yarn Y passes is pivotally supported in the bracket 39. As shown in Fig. 4, the yarn passes through an eyelet 32 around a stud 29, through another eyelet 32, around asecond stud 29 and finally through another eyelet 32. The normal position of the eyelets 32 with respect to the studs 29 is illustrated in Fig. 4, said eyelets being retained in the position shown by means of a light spring 33, one end of which is attached to an eyelet, the other end being connected to the bracket 39 as shown. The relative positions of the eyelets 32 and studs 29 impose a tortuous-course tension upon the yarn Y which is constantly variable, while the machine is knitting, by reason of the pivotal mounting of the wire or rod 3|. In other words. the constant variations in the pull upon the yarn Y incidental to knots, slubs and other causes is accommodated by the vibration of the eyelets 32 to and from the position shown in Fig. 4 to and from a position more nearly in line with the studs 29. It is desirable that the yarn tension 28 be located as close to the yarn guides as possible.

Whereas neither the-yarn tension 2| of Fig. 1 nor the yarn tension 28 of Fig. 4, when acting alone, will serve the purpose of the present invention, each may be used, as illustrated, in con- .junction with the yarn-holding feathers in Fig. 1

or the threads 25 of Figs. 2 and 3. When comwires being spaced apart about The number bined, the normal knitting tension, either by the disc tensionof Fig. 1 or the tension of Fig. 4, is lightened to some extent; however, such yarn tensions impose most of the so-called knitting tensions upon the yarns to the end that the latter shall be fed to the needles of the knitting machine under a normal knitting tension. In other words, the primary function of the yarnholding feathers l1, threads 25, or equivalent means, is to retain the yarn Y in engagement with the cone as the said yarn is being withdrawn therefrom by the call of the needles knitting the same.

In the preceding description pecific means for retaining the yarn Y in engagement with the cone have been described and two forms of yarn tension acting in conjunction with the yarn holding means have also been described. The specific illustrations have been referred to for illustrative Purposes only, without limiting the invention otherwise than as defined by the appended claims.

I claimi 1. In combination with a yarn cone stand,-

yarn holder supporting means carried by said stand and yarn holding means carried by the said supporting means, said yarn holding means including a flexible element for engagement with the yarn on the cone to exert a light drag upon the yarn in its passage from the, cone, the

engagement of the yarn by the flexible element I, being such as to prevent a kinking of the'yarn as it is drawn from the cone.

2. A yarn holder for knitting machines comcarried by said support and feather yarn engag- I ing elements pivotally mounted on the" upper ends of said rods, said yarn engagingelements being angularly disposed with respect to their:- clined upper portions of said rods for'biasing said elements. to engage the cone. I

10. A yarn holding assembly for acting upon yarns to be fed to a knitting machine, said assembly including a seat for a yarn cone, 8, support, rods mounted in said support for vertical and pivotal adjustments, tubes pivotally supportprising a plurality of yarn engaging means and a means pivotally supporting said yarn engaging means, said yarn engaging means, being constructed and arranged to collectively encircle a yarn cone and biased to hold against the cone the yarn being drawn from the cone.

3.,A yarn holder for knitting machines com prising a plurality of flexible yarn engaging means adapted to collectively encircle a yarn cone and means pivotally supporting said yarn engaging means, said yarn engaging means andtheir supporting means being so angularly related said yarn engaging means are biased for engagement with the yarn being drawn from the cone.

4. A yarn holder for knitting machines comprising a plurality of yarn engaging means adapted to extend about a yarn cone and means pivotally'supporting said yarn engaging means, each yarn engaging means and its supporting means being so angularly related said yarn engaging meansis biased to engage the yarn cone.

5. A yarn holder comprising supporting means adapted to extend-about a yam cone, spaced means and flexible yam engaging means pivotally mounted on said rods and biased to hold against the cone, the yarn being drawn therefrom. g

6. A yarn holder comprising supporting means adapted to extend about a yarn cone, rods projecting from said "supporting means in a circle about the yarn cone and yarn engaging means pivotally mounted on said rods and projecting therefrom, said rods and yarn engaging means having an angular relation biasing said yarn engaging means for engagement with the cone. r

7. A yarn holding device for the yarn cones of .knitting machines comprising a circular support, a plurality of spaced rods circumferentially-disposed around the supportand extending upwardly therefrom, feather yarn engaging elements pivotally carried by the upper ends of the rods, the pivotal mounting of the yarn engaging elements being such as to cause said elements to swing to a position against the yarn on a cone.

8. A yarn holding device for the yam cones of knitting machines comprising a circular support, a plurality of upwardly projecting spaced rods carried by saidsupport and feather yarn engagingelements pivotally mounted on the upper ends of said rodsand collectively encircling the cone, said yarn engaging elements being biased to engage the yarn on the cone.

ed in the upper ends of the rods and angularly disposed with respectthereto, the pivotal support. for each tube including a pin connected thereto'and projecting from one end'thereof and a feather fixedly mounted in the other end of each tube, the angular and pivotal mounting of each tube and connected feather permitting the feather to swing to and from the cone, and when released to gravitate into engagement with, the cone.

11. A yarn holding devic for the yarn cones of knitting machines comprising a circular support, a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting rods carried by said support and flexible threadlike yarn engaging elements pivotally mounted port, a plurality ofspaced verticallyarranged rods projecting from said supporting means on the upper; ends of said rod, said yarn engaging elements being angularly' disposed with respect to said rods for biasing said elements to engage the cone.

12. A yarn, holding device for the yarn cones of knitting machine's comprising a circular suprods carried thereby, carrier members pivotally mounted-on said rods and angularly disposed with respect thereto, and flexible threadlike yam engaging elements connecting spaced points on said carrier members, the pivotal mounting of said carrier members being constructed and arranged 0 to engage the yarn engaging element with the of knitting machines comprising a,circular sup- 9 port, a. plurality of spacedverticzilly arranged i the cone.

rods carried thereby, carrier members pivotally mounted on said rods, and flexible threadlike yarn engaging elements connecting spaced points on said carrier members and spaced from said movement engaging said elements with said cone.

' to the needles and yarn engaging means cons'tructed and arranged to mov bodily towards the 9. A-yarn holding device forrth yarn cones of knitting machines comprisinga circular sup port, a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting rods. having inwardly inclined upper portions 15. In a knitting machine, a cone having a yarn supply thereon for-the machine needles,

means for tensioning said yarn in its passage 13. A yarn holding device for the yarn cones cone to hold the yarn being drawn from the cone against the yarn on the cone as the diameters! the cone decreases.

i W. GROTHEY. 

